比 + amount, 没有 ... 那么/这么 + adj, 跟 ... 一样 + adj
Lesson 14 introduced 比 for 'A is more X than B'. This lesson rounds out the comparison toolkit. You need three patterns side by side: (1) A 比 B + adj + amount to say HOW MUCH more — 我比他高一点。 I'm a little taller than him. (2) A 没有 B 那么/这么 + adj to say A doesn't reach B's level — 我没有他那么聪明。 I'm not as smart as he is. (3) A 跟 B 一样 + adj to say A and B are equal — 这本书跟那本书一样有趣。 This book is just as interesting as that one. The three frames map to three semantic relations (more / less / equal); knowing which to reach for is the goal here.
比 + amount — saying HOW MUCH more
Bare A 比 B + adj says A is more X. To say by how much, drop the amount AFTER the adjective. Three flavors: (1) Quantitative degree: 一点 (a little), 多了 (a lot), 得多 (much): 我比他高一点。 = I'm a little taller. 中文比英文难多了。 = Chinese is much harder. 这件比那件贵得多。 = This one is much more expensive. (2) Numerical gap: 三岁 (3 years), 十块钱 (10 yuan), 一倍 (twofold): 她比我大三岁。 = She's three years older. 这本书比那本书贵十块钱。 = This book is 10 yuan more expensive. (3) Comparative degree word 更: A 比 B 更 + adj = A is even more X than B. 她比我更高。 = She's even taller than me. (Note: bare A 比 B 更高 can sound a bit stiff; 更 is most natural when comparing AGAINST a high baseline.)
没有 ... 那么 / 这么 — A doesn't reach B's level
The natural way to say 'A is not as X as B' is A 没有 B (那么/这么) + adj. 没有 here = doesn't have / doesn't reach. 那么 nàme = 'that much / that ...' (B is the reference point you're pointing AT). 这么 zhème = 'this much / this ...' (B is right here, near the speaker). The 那么/这么 is OPTIONAL but extremely common — it adds a 'that-level / this-level' flavor that English handles with intonation. 我没有他那么聪明。 = I'm not as smart as he is (lit. I don't reach his level of smart). 这本书没有那本书那么贵。 = This book isn't as expensive as that one. 今天没有昨天这么冷。 = Today isn't as cold as yesterday (yesterday was nearby in time, so 这么). Drop 那么/这么 for a slightly more clipped feel: 我没有他高。 = I'm not as tall as him. Both versions are correct; with 那么/这么 is more conversational and emphatic.
那么 vs. 这么 — pointing far vs. near
那么 = 'to that degree' — points at B as a faraway / abstract / contextual reference. 这么 = 'to this degree' — points at B as something present, vivid, or just-mentioned. With time references, 昨天 is 'yesterday' (close to now in feel) so 这么 is natural; 去年 is more distant, 那么 is natural. With people, both work: 他那么聪明 = 'he's THAT smart' (nodding at someone over there). 他这么聪明 = 'he's THIS smart' (almost as if presenting him). For 'A is not as X as B', if B is right in front of you or mentioned just now, 这么 fits; if B is distant or generic, 那么 fits. When in doubt, 那么 is the safer default.
跟 ... 一样 — A is the same as B
For equality, use A 跟 B 一样 + adj. 我跟你一样高。 = I'm just as tall as you. 这本书跟那本书一样有趣。 = This book is just as interesting as that one. 跟 gēn introduces the partner (you can also use 和 hé from lesson 5 with the same meaning, but 跟 is preferred in this comparison frame). 一样 yíyàng = 'the same'. The adjective sits at the end. To say plain 'A is the same as B' with no adjective, drop it: 我跟你一样。 = I'm the same as you / Same here. Negative: put 不 before 一样: 我跟你不一样。 = I'm different. Don't write A 不跟 B 一样 — the negation goes on 一样, not on 跟.
Question forms — asking comparisons
Several useful patterns. (1) 'How does A compare to B?' = A 比 B 怎么样? 中文比英文怎么样? = How is Chinese compared to English? (2) 'Is A the same as B?' = A 跟 B 一样吗? or V-not-V flavor A 跟 B 一样不一样? 这两本书一样不一样? (3) 'Who's taller, A or B?' = A 跟 B 谁高? or A 比 B 高吗? depending on whether you're asking 'which one' or 'is A more'. (4) 'How much taller?' = A 比 B 高多少? = By how much is A taller than B? — that 多少 sits where the amount would go. (5) 'Are they alike at all?' / 'Is there a difference?' = A 跟 B 有什么不同? = What's the difference between A and B?
比不上 — a useful idiom
A 比不上 B = A can't compare to B (literally: A compared, doesn't go up to B). It's a fixed idiom that uses the V不C pattern from lesson 28. 我比不上他。 = I can't compare to him / I'm no match for him. 我的中文比不上她。 = My Chinese isn't a match for hers. This is more idiomatic than 我没有他好 for general inferiority, especially in admiring contexts. Positive form 比得上 also exists ('can match up to') but is less common: 她比得上任何人。 = She can match up to anyone. Treat 比不上 / 比得上 as units.
